Beyond Keywords
A professional learning experience designed to help elementary educators move beyond keyword-based problem solving and use schema-based instruction to make mathematical reasoning more visible.
The Audience
This professional learning experience was designed for elementary educators who teach mathematical problem solving, particularly in grades 2–5. It supports teachers who want practical strategies for helping students identify problem structures, uncover hidden questions, and explain their mathematical thinking more clearly.
The Challenge
Elementary students are often taught to rely on keywords when solving word problems. While this strategy can seem efficient, it can break down in multi-step problems where the same word can appear in different mathematical situations. This project was designed to help educators shift from keyword-based instruction toward schema-based problem solving that emphasizes relationships, structure, and reasoning.
The Solution
The solution was a four-lesson professional learning experience built in Articulate Rise 360. Learners explore the limitations of keyword strategies, identify Change, Group, and Compare problem structures, practice uncovering hidden questions, and examine how think-alouds can make mathematical reasoning visible. The experience concludes with a classroom-ready mini-lesson planning activity and downloadable performance-support template.
Design Process
I used an iterative design process informed by my graduate capstone research and teacher needs analysis. I organized the content into a progressive learning sequence, developed realistic mathematical examples, built interactive process blocks, accordions, flashcards, and knowledge checks, and created a downloadable mini-lesson planning template to support transfer to classroom practice. I refined the course through repeated previewing, usability testing, and revision before publishing the final web version.
Interactivity & Learning Experience
Learners engage with process blocks, accordions, flashcards, and knowledge checks throughout the course. These interactions are used to reveal information progressively, reinforce key concepts, and give learners opportunities to practice identifying problem structures and hidden questions before moving into application.
Assessment & Feedback
Knowledge checks are embedded throughout the course to reinforce understanding of problem structure and hidden questions. Learners receive immediate feedback and can retry questions as needed. The course concludes with an authentic application task in which learners use a downloadable planning template to design a schema-based mini-lesson for classrooom use.
Accessibility & Inclusive Design
I tested the published course using keyboard navigation and Windows Narrator. Interactive controls, knowledge checks, feedback, headings, and downloadable resources were accessible by keyboard and announced by the screen reader in a logical reading order. I also verified that learners can navigate interactive elements such as flashcards and process blocks without relying on a mouse.
My Role
I designed and developed this professional learning experience from research and needs analysis through final production, including content organization, learner interactions, knowledge checks, performance support, and course publishing.
Tools
Articulate Rise 360 • PowerPoint • Netlify
Design Decisions & Iterations
This project helped me translate my research-based graduate capstone into a more concise, learner-centered digital experience. I refined the content sequence, varied the interaction types, strengthened the connection between modeling and application, and added a downloadable performance-support tool. Repeated previewing, usability testing, and revision helped improve consistency, readability, and overall learner flow before publishing the final course.